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Just Released: Three Fitness Video Games For the Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

Confession: I love playing video games - I especially love them on the Wii because I get to move, jump, and shake myself into a tizzy. Three fitness games were released for the Wii this last week and even though it's not like doing the real deal outside, the games are a fun way to burn calories and whip your bod into shape.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus ($20) Wii Fit Plus is Nintendo's follow-up to the popular Wii Fit. There are new exercises, balance board games, and strength and yoga activities, as well as targeted exercise routines for things like reducing tummy fat and toning your figure. A great improvement is the addition of a calorie counter - after you complete each exercise the game tells you how many calories you've burned.

To hear about the other two games, continue reading.

Wii Stripper Pole Game: Fun or Sexist?

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:30:47 -0700

I've been a little bit hesitant to write about the Wii Fit Stripper Pole game because I'm a little conflicted. But since it appears that it's going to happen, here we go! A Stripper Pole game disturbs me a little, but since it's part of Wii Fit, I think of it as the same level as those stripping exercise classes that popped up a few years ago and seemed cheeky and fun. It's also a fun, hopefully private (close those shades) way to work out and explore a fantasy, so what's the harm, right?

On the other hand, with the release of GTA IV and its supply of hookers once again, I'm leery of the intent here and I can get in that place of worrying about where the video game industry is placing their female fans. How do you feel about a stripper pole game?

Fitness Games, Now That's NEAT-o

FitSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:45:00 -0700

A new type of fitness motivator should be hitting stores in 2008. It's not a new gizmo or gadget promising to erase inches from your waistline, but rather a game, promising to make the whole weight loss feat fun.

The term 'NEAT' covers all physical activity that is not conscious exercise, especially since hitting the gym for a regular workout might be too much to expect for those returning to fitness. These new games will encourage small, everyday lifestyle changes, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking a few spaces away from a store entrance versus driving around to find the closest spot available.

Here are highlights:

Researchers have developed a computer game that translates physical activity into video games, such as races and logic puzzles. Dubbed Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT-o) games, they can be played on any hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) with users wearing a lightweight, wearable sensor that detects movement like running, walking, bending over or even foot tapping.

That data is then transmitted to the PDA via a wireless connection, and the player can see his or her game avatar move in real-time to their movements. For example, in the race game, the player's physical activity propels the avatar around the track -- the more active the player is, the faster and farther the avatar goes.

What's more? The tester for the NEAT-o lost 40 pounds in five months! I am all for new ways to get people moving and since we (yes, me included) are all totally obsessed with our hand helds these days, I think the NEAT-o is a fabulous idea. Plus, I love saying neat-o!

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New Trend in Fitness: Video Games and Cardio

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Remember the Nintendo Powerpad? Well if it was a favorite in your past, then you're probably going to be excited about this news.

New fitness companies are playing on the old gamers in us all. Using the latest in virtual reality technology, Expresso Fitness is creating cardio bikes that motivate you with an interactive training environment and give you the feedback to keep improving. In other words: These interactive exercise bikes give you the feeling that you're zooming through tunnels or chasing dragons.

Pretty cool minus the fact that video games now make me motion sick...

Game Review: Your Shape For Wii

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:50:08 -0800

There's a new fitness game in town and it's ready to work you out and make you sweat. Your Shape ($69), a new Wii game by Ubisoft, makes Jenny McCarthy your workout coach and training buddy so you don't have to sweat it out alone.

The game comes with a camera that you perch on your TV; it captures your image and plays it on your TV so you move with a reflection of yourself, like looking in a mirror. The camera also monitors your movements, and if you slack off, Jenny will let you know - she also gives you praise when you make a correction. Who couldn't use an ego boost mid-workout?

To learn more about the game, continue reading.

Oprah's Getting in Bed With HBO

BuzzSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:30:39 -0800

Well, kind of. The days of Oprah Winfrey's talk show may be numbered, but don't expect her to disappear anytime soon. Just a few days after her big announcement, the media mogul already has a project with HBO in the works - and she's kicking things up a notch. Her company Harpo films is working to develop a steamy hour-long pilot about a woman who abandons her family in LA to explore her sexual fantasies and desires.

Erin Cressida Wilson is on board to write, which seems fitting since she also penned the S&M-themed flick Secretary. Oprah will be one of the executive producers.

HBO has never shied away from racy shows (True Blood, anyone?) - but it still feels kinda strange to see Oprah's name attached to a project that's centered on overtly sexual storylines. Then again, it's not like Winfrey will be the one starring in it, and I'm always game for something new from HBO.

GeekSugar's Gift Guide For Gamer Guys

GeekSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:16 -0800

Now that I've got younger brothers, sisters, moms and dads taken care of in the gift guide department, what about those hard to buy for guys that are addicted to their gaming goods?

No need to fret, because I've got a wide range of options that fit a variety of budgets and are guaranteed to make even the biggest gamers happy during the holidays.

Fit Tip: Have a Game Plan

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:30:00 -0700

When headed to the gym or even out for a run, it is best to be prepared. The gym can overwhelm you with choices and without a plan in hand you might wander willy-nilly from machine to machine squandering your time and not give yourself a thorough workout. So print out a cardio plan if you just want to work aerobically, and this way you will have a plan to follow. If you are going to do some strength training, plan your workout ahead of time. When you are sitting down with a piece of paper listing out exercises, it is easier to see if an area is not getting worked or where you can do super-efficient compound moves or what stretches you can fit in during your rest times.

If you’re headed out for run, decide if you are going long and slow for an endurance workout, for an interval run with sprints and recovery time, or for a short tempo run where you push yourself to go a little past your comfort speed and maintain that slightly quicker pace.

It is great to have a plan, and even better to stick with it. Use my downloadable fitness journal to not only keep track of your workouts, but to plan them as well.

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Speak Up: What Are Your Pre-Workout Rituals?

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:00:07 -0700

Athletes do some kooky things before a big game: former Red Sox player Wade Boggs would eat chicken before every game, and during the 1998 World Cup, Laurent Blanc would kiss the head of his goalkeeper before each kickoff.

I might not be a professional athlete but I have my own little rituals before heading out on a big hike or climb. I fill up at least three water bottles and make a small tower of rocks at the beginning of my trail. Building a little rock tower is something I did when hiking with my family and I've just continued on the tradition.

Do any of you have rituals or superstitions you subscribe to before a big race or challenging exercise? Do you do them out of habit or does it calm your jitters? Let's hear from you!

2008 Video Game Preview: Part I

GeekSugar — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 08:15:12 -0800

As awesome as 2007 was for gaming, with the release of some of the most advanced games yet, 2008 seems to have a few tricks up its sleeve for us, too. Although Super Mario Galaxy, Halo and Guitar Hero will be on heavy rotation for months to come, I have a feeling that we'll need to make room in our closets for some new faves.

In the first of this three part series, we'll look at four of the twelve coolest games to hit the shelves in the next twelve months. Kicking it off will be the newest title in an uber-creepy series, a fast paced racer that encourages destruction, a revolutionary newcomer and a little something to help you work on your fitness. Game On!

Resident Evil 5
If you're a fan of Resident Evil, you will most likely dig the newest installment of zombified Haitians, eerie sounds, and guns, lots of guns, which you'll want to keep fully loaded. Although it might be hard to top the scare factor of RE4 that left me wanting to leave a light on before bed! Sure to scare you this year on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Now for three more games if you read more

Spore
This evolutionary game created by The Sims' mastermind Will Wright starts us off in the first of five "phases" as a single cell organism. Once you've gathered enough DNA points, you'll then have the ability to evolve, customize your creatures, mate, populate and travel to different worlds.
Evolving on your PC this summer.

Burnout Paradise
The awesomeness of Burnout continues with destruction based challenges and all out pedal-to-the-metal-timed races, this time covering the world with online play and incorporating your consoles' camera abilities to take your license photo! Sweet! Cruising onto your PS3 and Xbox 360 this winter.

Wii Fit
The Wii can do no wrong. Totally Fit approved, the Wii Fit balance board will help you perform up to 40 different exercises and even calculates your BMI. Perfect for all those who over indulged this winter and might need a little bit of intervention. It's not exercise - It's a game! Sculpt your way to being fit this winter.

Stay tuned for the remainder of our preview series to scope out the rest of the best for 2008!

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